Kristal Kinsela-Christie named as new Managing Director of IPS

Supplier diversity champion and former NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year Kristal Kinsela-Christie has been named as the new Managing Director of IPS Management Consultants.

Kristal has taken over the reins of IPS from founding MD Katina Law. Katina, who has overseen three years of outstanding growth at IPS, will take a new role as Commercial and Finance Director.

As Managing Director, Kristal will focus on developing new services, products and strategies to further enhance IPS revenue streams and provide career opportunities for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Kristal will continue her focus and advocacy of supplier diversity and creating opportunities for Indigenous Businesses.​

​​“As a relatively young business, we’re extremely proud of what we’ve achieved in facing the challenges as an Indigenous business, building a strong brand and forcing open the doors to opportunity,” Kristal said.

“IPS is passionate about a shared desire to build the capacity of Indigenous businesses, communities and people.

“I’m honoured to have the opportunity to lead such a strong business and great team.” 

Kristal praised former IPS Managing Director Katina Law for her outstanding leadership and guidance over the past three years.  “Katina has been a fantastic leader and inspirational mentor, not only to me but to all of us within the IPS family, I wouldn’t be where I am without her,” Kristal said. 
 
IPS Management Consultants, established in 2015, provides jobs and business opportunities to many Aboriginal people across Australia. IPS has grown to 25 staff in 3 years, with 33 per cent of those Indigenous.  A passionate advocate of growing opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses, IPS was awarded Supply Nation’s 2018 Certified Supplier of the Year, in recognition of its inspirational work in driving supplier diversity in Australia. 
 
The appointment as Managing Director caps a remarkable 12 months for Kristal, a mother of three from Port Macquarie, NSW. 

• In February 2018 Kristal was one of 10 Indigenous leaders chosen as part of the Special Gathering to meet the Prime Minister and state and territory leaders at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting. Kristal was singled out for her compelling advocacy work by then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull when he delivered the 10th Closing the Gap address to Parliament.
• In May 2018 Kristal joined fellow directors Katina Law and Damien Chalk in accepting the Supply Nation’s Certified Supplier of the Year, in recognition of the business’s inspirational work in driving supplier diversity within Australia. 
• In September 2018 she gave birth to her third child Kohen, two weeks before jetting off to deliver a keynote address at the World Indigenous Business Forum in Rotorua, New Zealand. 

IPS also warmly welcomes new Operations Manager Jahna Cedar to the team. Jahna is a Nyiyaparli/Yindjibarndi woman from the Pilbara region of Western Australia and is recognised as a strong Indigenous community leader. 

Jahna has worked for over 18 years advocating for equal rights and reconciliation of Indigenous people, and has represented Indigenous Australia at the United Nations in New York, on three occasions.  In 2012, Jahna was the youngest person to be elected into the West Australian International Women’s Day Hall of Fame and in 2017 proudly won Business news 40 under 40, First amongst Equals. Jahna was also awarded Telstra Business Women Awards WA – For Purpose and Social Enterprise Winner in 2017 and enjoys speaking at various events on issues of social justice, Indigenous rights and business management.  
 
“We’re thrilled to welcome Jahna to our team to drive our operations and continue to support our growth as a national business,” said Kristal.